Autism Coaching Specialist - Northern Illinois

Title: Autism Coaching Specialist - Northern Illinois

Division Name: Academic Affairs

Department: Special Education

Campus

Location:

Off Campus / Outside Central IL

The Autism Coach is directly responsible for providing expertise in the field of autism through the coordination and implementation of autism services for identified school teams participating in the A+ Project. The Autism Coach works collaboratively with project staff, educators, families, and community partners to provide professional learning, coaching, technical assistance, and resource development aligned with evidence‑based practices for students with ASD.

This position supports schools and educational teams in building sustainable systems and practices that improve educational outcomes for students with ASD through coaching, systems support, and collaborative planning.

The Autism Coaching Specialist partners with educators, administrators, and multidisciplinary school teams to strengthen educational systems that improve outcomes for autistic students and students with complex learning needs. Through professional learning, technical assistance, implementation support, and job‑embedded coaching, the Autism Coach assists schools in implementing evidence‑based practices with fidelity while building local capacity for sustainable systems improvement.

The Autism Coach develops and delivers professional learning in multiple formats, facilitates program assessments, supports collaborative action planning, creates implementation resources, and provides ongoing coaching using Behavior Skills Training, implementation science, and gradual release practices. Coaching focuses on strengthening instructional systems, communication supports, behavioral supports, inclusive practices, and educational programming through collaborative partnerships and continuous improvement.

• Coaching, Technical Assistance, and Systems Implementation:
  • Establish collaborative partnerships with assigned school entities and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Conduct APERS and ALCOT assessments to identify strengths, implementation needs, and priorities for improvement.
  • Facilitate Behavior Change Teams in reviewing assessment data, establishing goals, and developing action plans.
  • Provide job‑embedded coaching through classroom observations, instruction, modeling, rehearsal, performance feedback, collaborative problem solving, reflection, and gradual release.
  • Monitor implementation fidelity and support schools in sustaining evidence‑based practices.
  • Assist school teams in developing educational programming based on assessment findings, including supports related to communication, academics, functional skills, social‑emotional learning, interfering behavior, and function‑based behavior support.
  • Train multidisciplinary teams to conduct functional behavior assessments and develop prevention‑focused behavior intervention plans that promote student engagement, independence, communication, and participation.
  • Customize coaching and technical assistance based on Action Plan priorities and implementation data.
• Professional Learning Development and Delivery
• Design, develop, revise, and deliver professional learning through:
  • In‑person workshops, synchronous virtual trainings.
  • Self‑paced online learning modules.
  • Monthly office hours.
  • Virtual Communities of Practice.
  • Registered Behavior Technician training.
  • Illinois Experiential Practicum for Autism.
  • Conference presentations.
  • Utilize evidence‑based adult learning principles and Behavior Skills Training throughout professional learning activities.
• Resource Development
  • Develop, revise, and disseminate implementation guides, instructional materials, classroom tools, visual supports, communication supports, coaching resources, and professional learning materials.
  • Contribute resources to the APLUS website and online learning platform.
• Collaboration and Statewide Initiatives
  • Collaborate with statewide partners and technical assistance projects.
  • Participate in statewide conferences, exhibits, and dissemination activities.
  • Assist with planning and implementation of the annual Autism Conference.
  • Participate in IEPA planning and facilitation.
• Data,…